US routers in the UK

[sploo]

I've just laid down some cash for a Porter Cable 892, which is on its way to me in the UK (we can't get fixed based routers over here).

I was planning to use a UK building site transformer (110Vac, 50Hz), and from the information I have it should be possible to wire everything correctly and safely.

However, Porter Cable tell me that I can't run the motor at 50Hz as it'll burn it out. Some electrically minded colleagues tell me that they think it'll probably be OK, and that PC are just 'covering their *rses'.

Anyone had any experience of using US tools in the UK, especially PC routers?

[xlr8tr@mac.c]

I've been using Porter Cables for years in the UK via the transformer you mention - no problems so far after hundreds of hours of use (touch wood)

[sploo]

Great news. Many thanks!

[martinw]

Originally Posted by sploo Anyone had any experience of using US tools in the UK, especially PC routers?

Dear sploo,

I found these people who deal with Porter Cable...

http://www.maxtool.co.uk/index/porter-cable/routers.asp

From looking at their website, I think that they imply that the 892 model is good for 60Hz only, whereas some of the other models are good for 25 to 60 Hz. Try giving them a ring.

Regards

Martin

[sendkeys]

For what i have seen, it will have less power and rpm . It may over heat so as long as you watch the heat should be ok.

If this is for production you could look into buying a 120/60 generator or maybe (you will have to look into it some more), a 110/50 then turning up the rpm.

[Geof]

Or get a VFD and just lock the output at 60 hz.

[sploo]

Martin - I found Maxtool a while ago, and asked them about use of the tool in the UK. No reply.

Plus the actual cost of getting hold of one via them was somewhat high.

sendkeys/Geof - I'm hoping that it should just work OK. It's destined for a CNC router (eventually). Can't say I've seen a 60Hz generator (and don't know anything about VFD's).

I suspect that anything fancy that can provide sufficient wattage would be pretty expensive.

Ah well, hopefully I'll get hold of it in the next couple of weeks and give it a go. I'll let people know the result!

[Davidh]

...a variable frequency drive would be a good way to go, It would be worth talking to someone who sells them and can spec what you need. Get one, play with it, use it and you have learnt a new trick


Do you know what the consumption (Amps or watts) of your new toy is?

[sploo]

Originally Posted by Davidh ...a variable frequency drive would be a good way to go, It would be worth talking to someone who sells them and can spec what you need. Get one, play with it, use it and you have learnt a new trick

I'm always interested in learning new stuff, but it does have to be cost effective. Could you give me an idea of how much these things cost?

Originally Posted by Davidh Do you know what the consumption (Amps or watts) of your new toy is?

It's rated as 2.25hp. I'd want something capable of delivering 2kW to be certain.

The building site transformer I've been looking at claims to deliver 3kW - for a pretty reasonable cost of 50GBP.

[Davidh]

Yes, I know that cost effective feeling

You are looking at £200, unless you can 'aquire' one from somewhere.

[sploo]

Originally Posted by Davidh You are looking at £200, unless you can 'aquire' one from somewhere.

That's cheaper than I was expecting, but it's still more than twice the cost of the router.

If that was my only choice, then I guess it'd probably be better to get a powerful UK router, though obviously it'd have to be a plunge unit and I'd have to strip it down to use it as a spindle motor.

On that subject - why is it we can't get fixed base routers here in the UK? Idiot health and safety regs?

[JRoque]

Hi. PC folks are probably also worried about the router's speed controller. While in theory it should work at 50Hz, they might know something about their particular setup that we don't. The speed controller is handy not only to set the speed but to maintain it while under load and prevent over driving the motor. While the VFD might be a good solution, those usually cost nearly as much as the router - sometimes more. If the motor overheats and you run out of options, remove or bypass the internal speed controller and use an external one; the type used with universal motors.

JR